By: Spencer Neff
September 8, 2023
Andretti Autosport with Curb-Agajanian’s Colton Herta topped the speed chart during opening practice for Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The two-time pole and race winner (2019 and 2021) posted a best lap of 1m07.5382 (119.292 mph) on the 2.238-mile, 11-turn permanent road course in Salinas, California. Herta, who is running a special livery paying tribute his father Bryan, is looking to close out 2023 with his first race win since the GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in may 2022.
Placing second among the 27-car field was Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, with best lap .0529 of a second off Herta, to be the fastest Chevrolet entry. Teammate Alexander Rossi was third. All three eclipsed the official track record set by Helio Castroneves in 2000 (1m07.722-118.969 mph).
In his last race with Chip Ganassi Racing, Marcus Ericsson was fourth with future Andretti teammate Kyle Kirkwood bookending the Top Five for his team.
Making his second NTT INDYCAR SERIES appearance, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Juri Vips was best among the rookies in sixth. 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion Alex Palou was 12th after crashing in Turn 4 during Thursday’s Open Test.
Nearly halfway into the session, Andretti’s Romain Grosjean sun into the Turn 4 tire barrier. Grosjean sustained heavy damage to the rear wing of his No. 28 entry and was unable to run further in the session.
Eight minutes after the session resumed, a second red flag was brought out. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Juri Vips stalled in Turn 6. He was able to restart and coast his way to pit lane.
Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin spun in Turn 2, prompting a third red flag with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Less than five minutes after the session resumed, Agustin Canapino spun in Turn 6 and the stalled Juncos Hollinger Racing entry would need assistance from the AMR Safety Team. Due to the lengthy cleanup, there would be no further running and the 75-minute session concluded soon after.
Canapino to serve engine penalty
This morning, INDYCAR announced a penalty for the No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing entry of Agustin Canapino. Canapino, who is 26 points behind Marcus Armstrong for Rookie of the Year was penalized under the following, per Friday’s release:
“Rule 16.2.3.2 A fifth (5th) Engine is eligible to earn Engine Manufacturer points if a Full Season Entrant has completed the Full Season Entrant Engine Mileage with its first four (4) Engines. Otherwise, a fifth (5th) or more Engine does not earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Unapproved Engine change-out.
According to Rule 16.6.1.2, the penalty is a six-position starting grid penalty on road and street course events and nine positions at oval events and will be served at the series’ next event, which is the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Sunday, Sept. 10 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca”
Up Next
Here is the remaining schedule for the weekend. Stay with IndyCar1909 for the latest on the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey.
At-track schedule (all times local):
Saturday, Sept. 9
9:05-9:35 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying (Two 12-minute sessions / Session 1 determines the lineup for Race 1, Session 2 determines the lineup for Race 2), INDYCAR LIVE
10-11 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice 2 (45 minutes limited guarantee), Peacock
12:30 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 1 “Drivers Start Your Engines”
12:35 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 1 (35 laps / 78.33 miles / 55 minutes), Peacock
2 p.m. – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey NTT P1 Award qualifying (three rounds of knockout qualifying), Peacock
Sunday, Sept. 10
9-9:30 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES final practice, Peacock
9:55 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 2 “Drivers Start Your Engines”
10 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Race 2 (35 laps / 78.33 miles / 55 minutes), Peacock
11:30 a.m. – NBC on air
12:19 p.m. – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey “Drivers, start your engines”
12:26 p.m. – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (95 laps/212.61 miles), NBC (Live)
Header Image By Chris Owens/INDYCAR
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